Serious Cycling-2nd Edition

Ride faster and more efficiently with Serious Cycling. Exercise scientists have unearthed a wealth of information that cyclists can use to improve their performance. However, most cyclists have never had access to this great body of knowledge.

Now you do. Serious Cycling bridges the gap between scientific observation and cycling performance. It takes the latest scientific data on physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, injury prevention and recovery, and training, and translates it into practical applications that will have an immediate impact on your personal training program. Written by one of cycling’s top experts, this book will help you build endurance, increase lactate threshold, and enhance cycling strength and power.

Two-time U.S. Olympic team staff member Ed Burke has combined physiological training principles and real-world experiences to make Serious Cycling the reference that no elite cyclist should be without. The training methods and techniques he presents are what the top cyclists use. You’ll learn how to

• use power meters and heart rate monitors to gauge what is happening in your body while you work out;
• prevent injuries and illness, even during periods of hard training and racing;
• use proper nutrition and cutting-edge supplementation strategies to train harder and recover more effectively;
• make your body and your bike work with—not against—each other,
• get the best, most current information on proper positioning and cycling biomechanics; and
• apply effective tactics and race strategies to ensure your success in time trials, road races, and criteriums.

Whether you’re a competitor, a club member, or a weekend century rider, Serious Cycling will give you the know-how—and the means to apply it—so that you can reach your full potential.

Part I Hard-Core Training
Chapter 1 Building a Mileage Base
Chapter 2 Developing Speed and Sprint Power
Chapter 3 Raising Lactate Threshold
Chapter 4 Enhancing Cycling Strength
Chapter 5 Staying Healthy and Injury-Free

Part II The Nutritional Edge
Chapter 6 Fueling for Training and Competition
Chapter 7 Refueling for Recovery
Chapter 8 Exploring Performance Enhancers

Part III Planning
Chapter 9 Planning for the Year
Chapter 10 Committing to a Winning Season
Chapter 11 Preventing Overtraining

Part IV Racing
Chapter 12 Perfect Positioning
Chapter 13 Designing Strategies and Tactics
Chapter 14 Pedaling for Optimum Efficiency

Edmund R. Burke, PhD, wrote or edited 11 books on health, fitness, and cycling, including High-Tech Cycling and Fitness Cycling. Renowned for translating the latest scientific research into practical application, he served as the executive editor of Cycling Science and was a columnist for Adventure Cycling, Active.com, and Performance Conditioning for Cycling. He also wrote extensively on cycling physiology, training, nutrition, health, and fitness for Velonews, Bicycling, Winning Magazine, MTB Magazine, and NORBA News.

Dr. Burke was the physiologist for USA Cycling for seven years. During that time he worked with the 1980 and 1984 Olympic cycling teams, which won nine medals. He consulted with several companies in the areas of cycling, fitness equipment design, nutritional products, and fitness programs. A fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, he served as the vice president of research for the National Strength and Conditioning Association from 1993 to 1995.

Dr. Burke held a doctorate in exercise physiology from Ohio State University. He was a professor and director of the exercise science program at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where he lived with his wife, Kathleen. Dr. Burke passed away in 2002.

”Not only is this book a top-rated synthesis on road cycling in general, it is also an invaluable tool for helping cyclists at all levels achieve their dreams of athletic success.”

Chris Carmichael
Coach of three-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong

Training with indoor cycling